FG completes evacuation of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa

The Federal Government has completed the evacuation of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks and other security concerns affecting foreign nationals in the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, the evacuation exercise ended with the arrival of the fifth and final Air Peace humanitarian flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, carrying 305 Nigerian returnees.

The ministry said the aircraft departed O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, with three Nigerian government officials also on board to supervise the exercise.

“With the completion of the evacuation exercise, the Federal Government has successfully returned 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa through a coordinated humanitarian airlift carried out in partnership with Air Peace Limited and South African Airways.

“The evacuation was carried out after sustained engagement with the South African government and in response to security concerns arising from xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals, including Nigerians,” the ministry said.

“Nigeria will continue to engage constructively with the South African Government through diplomatic channels to promote the safety, security and peaceful coexistence of all residents.”

“Nigerians living abroad are encouraged to obey the laws of their host countries, register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission and maintain regular contact with embassy officials to ensure they can receive prompt assistance whenever the need arises,” the statement said.